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Abridged Report with Attachments
ABRIDGED REPORT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING
NEW JERSEY STATE FIREMEN’S ASSOCIATION
WALL TOWNSHIP NJ May 3, 2025
The meeting was called to order by President Ordway at 9:00am in accordance with the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act. Notice of this meeting was posted on the New Jersey State Firemen’s website as required pursuant to the provisions of the Open Public Meetings Act (Chapter 231, P.L. 1975). The fire exits were pointed out. Vice President Hankins led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.
A moment of silence was observed for our deceased members and their families.
Second Assistant Secretary Dreby recited the prayer.
ROLL CALL:
All members were present except Executive Committeewoman Badger, who was excused, and Executive Committeeman Speigel, who attended via Zoom.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
The Abridged and Verbatim Minutes of the February 22, 2025, Executive Committee Meeting were approved as distributed on a motion by Executive Committeeman Scheuer, seconded by Executive Committeeman Figueroa. MOTION CARRIED.
COMMUNICATIONS:
There was no additional communication that needed to be read. A motion to accept Communications as sent to the Executive Committee by Executive Committeeman Fazekas was made, seconded by Executive Committeeman Lane. PASSED.
LIFE MEMBER REPORT: None.
OFFICERS REPORTS:
VICE PRESIDENT HANKINS: Reported He did some research regarding the costs of funerals. To date we have 106. The average cost of funerals is $11,504.00. That is roughly $500 over last year. We have a Workshop scheduled for Cape May on June 5. He is working on dates for Somerset & Burlington Counties.
SECRETARY PELAIA: The report is in the packets. Election Petitions for Executive Committee and Officers are due on June 1.
FIRST ASSISTANT SECRETARY MARTONE: He has updated the archived records of our minutes. There were some missing minutes which probably were lost during the move from Kenilworth. Everyone should have a Red Book at their place. All local secretaries should receive theirs sometime this week.
SECOND ASSISTANT SECRETARY DREBY: Everything is set for the Memorial Service at the Convention. Gary Burgin, who sings at the Convention, has passed away and Executive Committeeman Roemmich will take his spot.
TREASURER MULLEN: The Finance Committee will not be meeting until Monday, therefore there is no report in the packets from the Finance Committee. They will be sent out to the Executive Committee as soon as the report is received. Executive Committeeman Naylis asked about the Associations that need to have their Incorporation Papers redone due to issues with banks rejecting the opening of new accounts. President Ordway stated that is being addressed by Counsel Cavallo.
FIELD EXAMINER HOLLINGSWORTH: The report is in the packets. She thanked all the executives who assisted with the Field Exams. All the letters with the results were sent to all five local officers
COUNSEL CAVALLO AND ASSISTANT COUNSEL MORRIS REPORT: Nothing to report in the open session.
PRESIDENT ORDWAY:
- ) The office will be closed on Monday May 26, Thursday June 19, and the week of June 30 through July 4.
- ) There was one Association, Barnegat in Ocean County, that was late submitting their annual Finance Report and will not be seated for the 2025 Convention or allowed officers’ stipends in 2025.
- ) We had 100% submissions on time for the Membership Report, first quarter Relief Payment Report, and the Delegate Selection Reports.
- ) We ran a report on who is not qualified and had zero percent for the last five consecutive years. Local officers were notified several weeks ago of those who would be removed after the Membership Reports are processed.
- ) IRS 990s are due to the IRS by May 15. A copy of the filing or copy of receipt of the filing needs to be sent to us by June 14.
- ) A reminder that Caucuses, Field Exams, and workshops must be ADA compliant.
- ) He thanked everyone who assisted in the Field Exams. They are easier with more executives assisting. Morris County still needs to be done, as due to the situation on Route 80, it had to be postponed. As soon as Route 80 is reopened, we will reschedule their Field Exam.
- ) There will be a Workshop in Cape May on June 5.
- ) Under Old Business, we will be discussing the payment scale for Delegates and Life Members that was postponed at the last Executive Board meeting.
- ) Under Old Business, we will also be voting on the Burial Benefit, which was postponed at the last Executive Board meeting.
- ) After discussion with our attorney, it was decided that there is no problem with having the Membership Applications and the Burial Claims submitted by e-mail.
- ) There will be a vote this morning on the 2025/2026 Budget under New Business.
- ) On May 1, $12,386,000 was wired to the Firemen’s Home, as per the governor’s approval of their budget.
- ) On May 15, funds will be wired to the Local Associations
- ) As a reminder, the September Executive Committee Meeting will be Saturday September 6.
- ) A special Caucus was held on March 5th in Hudson County to elect a new Firemen’s Home Manager
- ) There is still no Manager for Salem County
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
ADVISORY COMMITTEE: Chairman Walker stated that his written report is in the packets.
COMPENDIUM COMMITTEE: Chairman Roemmich had nothing to report. President Ordway stated that the Physical section of the Application for Membership hasn’t been updated in a long time. The committee should reach out to our doctor and see if any items need to be changed or updated.
DELEGATE- LIFE MEMBER REPORT: Chairman Florio has a report in the packets that will be voted on under Old Business
FINANCE COMMITTEE: No report, as the meeting won’t be held until May 6.
FIREMEN’S HOME: Chairman Otterbein said the report of the meeting is in your packet. There were a few things of interest that were reported at the meeting. A vote was taken and passed concerning admittance to the Home, whereas the member must have seven years’ service to enter the Home. Executive Committeeman Scheuer inquires if it is 7 years or 84 months. President Ordway stated that this is not predicated on being a member of our Association, so it is strictly 7 years
HEALTH CARE COMMITTEE: Chairman Reeves reported that his report is in the packets. He had no verbal report.
LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE: Chairman Martone reported that the Annual Legislative Committee meeting was held this past week, and all went well. He would like to thank everyone for their assistance with the committee. Executive Committeeman Naylis asked if we can get a report relative to the legislation submitted by the assemblyman from Gloucester County relative to raising the 2% tax. Chairman Martone stated that he has reached out to the Assemblyman to schedule a meeting and is waiting to hear back.
LONG TERM PLANNING COMMITTEE: Chairman Lane stated that there is a report in the packets. He has a few items that we need to vote on under New Business.
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE: No report.
PENSION COMMITTEE: Treasurer Mullen reported that they had a meeting prior to this morning’s Executive Committee meeting and the only topic of discussion was the cycle three review of our planned document, which is required every six years by the IRS and that was finalized by January 1 of this year.
RESOLUTION COMMITTEE: Assistant Counsel Morris reported that we have received six resolutions. He is scheduling a meeting for the committee to make recommendations to the Executive Committee at the July meeting.
SALARY COMMITTEE: Chairman Fazekas reported that he would like to have some discussion in Executive Session.
Fire COMMISSION:
1) Lou Kilmer has been promoted to Deputy Director of the Division of Fire Safety.
2)There is a statewide investigation, spearheaded through Perth Amboy, and involving several State agencies regarding E-Bikes.
3) The Physical agility testing is only looking towards firefighter entrance exams.
4)The Fire Code enforcement regulations, NJAC 5:71, are being updated.
4)The mulch regulations in the Fire Code took effect on April 15.
5)The Fire Code is moving from the 2024 edition of International Fire Code to coincide with the
adoption of the 2024 International Building Code by UCC.
6) The next meeting of the Fire Commission will be May 22 in Bergen County.
OLD BUSINESS:
- There is a list that the Field Examiner has distributed of Associations that need oversight.
- Executive Committeeman Florio made a motion seconded by Executive Committeeman Kurdyla to remove Westfield from oversight. A motion was not necessary since the Executive Committee gave the Officers the authority to do this.
- PAYMENT SCALE FOR DELEGATES AND LIFE MEMBERS : President Ordway said that you will notice that the lodging for Cape May County has been blocked out. He went further to explain that previously the County to where the Convention is held would not receive lodging expenses. A motion was made by Executive Committeeman Kelly , seconded by Executive Committee Otterbein to approve the payment. Executive Committeeman Spiegel then inquired why this was done? President Ordway then explained that we are doing this from this year forward. President Ordway also explained that there seemed to be discovered potential abuse. After much discussion it was determined that Cape May County will be eligible for lodging. On a Roll Call Vote Passed 20-0
- BURIAL BENEFIT: President Ordway stated that at the last meeting, there was a motion made and seconded that the Executive Committee vote regarding the Burial Benefit. This motion was tabled. Executive Committeeman Lenarski made a motion, seconded by Executive Committeeman Reeves to remove it from the table. On a voice vote motion passed 20-0. President Ordway then stated that we have a motion on the floor to adopt the 2-page report that was sent out and added to the last meeting. President Ordway said that he would ask the maker of the motion, Executive Committeeman Naylis, if he wanted to leave it as was made at the last meeting, or would he like to leave it as is, amend it, or withdraw it. Executive Committeeman Naylis asked that the 5-year requirement be removed and the starting date to be effective from the original motion. He amended the starting date to be May 1. President Ordway then stated that the motion currently needs 14 votes to pass. On a Roll Call Vote 4 yes and 16 no, the Motion FAILED
- Executive Committeeman Roemmich motioned, Seconded by Executive Committeeman Lane to add siblings. President Ordway then brought up again the motion to add siblings to the burial President Ordway then reminded all that for this vote to pass, 14 votes in the affirmative are required since this motion requires a 2/3 majority On a Roll Call Vote 14 YES-6 No, the Motion Passes
EXECUTIVE SESSION: At 9:45 am, on a motion by Executive Committeeman Kelly seconded by Executive Committeeman Roemmich to go into Executive Session, PASSED
At 10:15am on a motion by Executive Committeeman Florio, seconded by Executive Committeeman Scheuer to return to open Session PASSED
NEW BUSINESS
APPOINTMENTS:
- A motion was made by Executive Committeeman Fazekas, seconded by Executive Committeeman Jubert, to appoint Jennie Hollingsworth as Field Examiner, via voice vote- PASSED.
- A motion was made by Executive Committeeman Lenarski, seconded by Executive Committeeman Fazekas to appoint Frank Cavallo as Counsel and George Morris Assistant Counsel via voice vote- PASSED.
BUDGET: A motion was made by Executive Committeeman Otterbein and seconded by Executive Committeeman Kelly to approve the 2025-2026 budget. On a Roll Call vote- PASSED 20-0.
SALARY PROPOSAL: This item was moved until the July 19 Executive Committee Meeting
LOCAL INSURANCE FUNDING: A motion was made by Executive Committeeman Roemmich, seconded by Executive Committeeman Figueroa, to approve the distribution of funds to the locals as presented by the Long-Term Planning Committee. On a Roll Call Vote, PASSED 20-0…
E-MAILING of APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP AND BURIAL FORMS: President Ordway in his report at the beginning of the meeting stated that he has discussed the possibilities with our attorneys of having the Application for Membership and Burial Forms be allowed to be submitted by E-Mail. A motion was made by Executive Committeeman Spiegel and seconded by Executive Committeeman Kurdyla to allow these forms to be submitted via E-Mail. On a Voice vote PASSED 20-0
REMOVAL OF MEMBERS FOR CAUSE: There are two members who have had Charges brought forward for violations of Articles X Section C (Theft). Hearings were scheduled and neither party failed to attend. The Advisory Committee then recommended that they be removed from the rolls of the New Jersey State Firemen’s Association. A motion was made by Executive Committeeman Reeves, seconded by Executive Committeeman Handlin to remove the following Members. 1)Pennsauken member 282-04-0266 and Member 2) Kearny member 169-2-410. On a voice votePASSED 20-0.
GOOD OF THE ORDER:
Executive Committeeman Otterbein thanked all for their condolences on the passing of his brother-in law.
Executive Committeeman Roemmich thanked all for their condolences on the passing of his mother
Executive Committeeman Mecsey reported that Former Executive Committeeman Mellert who had a fall and broke his femur is in a rehabilitation center next to his home. “Konnie says hello to all” and thanks all the members who have reached out to him.
1)President Ordway informed all that the next Executive Committee Meeting will be July 19, 2025
2) President Ordway thanked the Executive Committee for their work and the various items and also thanked them for their cooperation in getting through the agenda this morning.
Respectfully Submitted:
Thomas J. Pelaia
Secretary
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